Following their shock defeat to CD Leganes last weekend, FC Barcelona will be gunning to return to winning ways when they take on Atletico Madrid at Montjuic tomorrow in La Liga.
The Blaugrana have dropped valuable points in the league in recent weeks and now find themselves level on points with Atletico, who are currently second in the table but have a game in hand.
As such, Hansi Flick & co. are aware that there is simply no margin for error for them when they take on Diego Simeone’s men tomorrow at home.
On the eve of the game, the German tactician spoke to the media and discussed the importance of tomorrow’s contest as well as the absence of key man Lamine Yamal, among other things.
On Atletico Madrid and Barcelona’s current form
Kicking things off, the Barcelona manager had words of praise for Atletico Madrid, as he called them the ‘best team in the league’ currently, saying:
“It’s a very difficult game for us. At the moment they are the best team so far. It will be a great game.”
Discussing Barça’s current predicament, wherein they have collected only five points from their last six La Liga matches, Flick remarked:
“We started the project, and on 20 December we are first in La Liga and second in the Champions League. We have lost several points and it was a shame, because we should have won against Las Palmas and Leganes.
“Respect for them because they played better and we have to accept that. Tomorrow we have the chance to prove ourselves again.
“We are a young team and we have to improve, we will fight until the end of the season. We have done things well, but it is not easy. Tomorrow we have another chance to do well against a great team.”
One of the concerns for Barça in recent games has been their lack of concentration early on, leading to goals being conceded.
“‘We have to be ready from the second one, Atletico score a lot of goals at the end of the game. So we have to be focused from the beginning to the end,” said Flick about the situation.
On team news
No Lamine Yamal tomorrow. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)
Reacting to the injury that star forward Lamine Yamal sustained, that has sidelined him for three to four weeks, Flick stated:
“We have to accept this injury and that he is not available. We have several options to replace him but we haven’t decided yet.”
On whether Andreas Christensen, who has trained with the team this week, will be ready to return tomorrow, the manager replied: “Christensen won’t be on the list tomorrow.”
Interestingly, though, the Barça boss did not comment on the situation of Hector Fort, who did not train with the team today due to muscle issues.
Explaining his decision to give his players a two-day rest after the defeat to Leganes, the Barcelona coach said:
“Sometimes you make these decisions, when we look back we had no rest. We needed to clear our heads and we think it was a good decision. We’ve been training very well since then, so I think it was a good decision.”
The manager also touched upon the team Christmas dinner, highlighting the unity in the camp, saying:
“I felt that we are a family and that we are very united. The staff are very proud of each and every one of the players and this is what identifies us.”
On being asked about what club president Joan Laporta told him at the dinner, Flick replied: “You can’t know, it’s private. I can’t tell you what he says to me. I’ll keep it a secret (laughs).
Talking about the team dynamics heading into tomorrow’s game which marks the midpoint of the season, the manager explained:
“We have lost great players and we only signed Olmo and Pau Victor. The team is growing a lot and in the end we are not happy with the situation of the club but we will fight until the end.
“It is not easy, but we want to win all the titles and this starts with winning tomorrow.”
Concluding, Flick commented on the matter of Robert Lewandowski’s substitutions from matches in recent games, which has become a topic of debate, stating:
“In those situations, you have to make a decision. Ferran did very well in the previous matchdays and after the games, everything is clearer and better.”
Source: Mundo Deportivo